4K monitors work well for typical office work and casual home use, because enhanced detailing makes small text easier to read. It’s a game changer if you work with spreadsheets and documents all day.
You can find excellent monitors for decent prices, but there are still some expensive models out there. I’ve combed the web to find the best 4K monitors and analyzed their features to help you find the best choice for your budget and needs.
This 4K monitor from BenQ is perfect for typical office work, streaming, and even gaming. The 27-inch IPS display features HDR support for enhanced detailing, producing up to 99% of the sRGB gamut for more vivid colors. A blue light filter helps prevent eye strain during long days in front of the computer, and integrated speakers enable you to listen to music, watch movies, and join virtual meetings without a headset. Its integrated ambient light sensors automatically adjust brightness depending on your environment. It also has USB-C connectivity for faster file transfers between devices and the ability to charge your phone, tablet, or laptop.
Although marketed as a gaming display, this monitor works well as an everyday screen. Better yet, the price is perfect if you’re trying to spend less than $300 on your new monitor. It has an ultra-fast 1ms response time for near real-time reactions to inputs, which is convenient for gaming as well as creative work. It supports Adaptive Sync and AMD FreeSync variable refresh rate technology to help prevent screen stuttering and tearing that can ruin movies and make virtual meetings difficult. Its native refresh rate is 60Hz, which is sufficient for casual office use, but if you connect the monitor to your desktop via the DisplayPort, you can get up to 120Hz for streaming movies or playing games.
The HP U27 is a middle-of-the-road option if you’re looking to upgrade your current setup or buy your first 4K display. Its refresh rate of 60Hz is serviceable for everyday tasks and office work, and it supports AMD FreeSync Premium variable refresh rate technology, which prevents screen stuttering. Along with HDMI and DisplayPort connections, it also has USB ports for connecting peripherals like keyboards, mice and external storage drives. If you dislike cables and cords cluttering your desk, you can connect your mobile devices or laptop to the display via Bluetooth for wireless multitasking. It even has integrated speakers so you can stay untethered from your monitor via headset during video calls and presentations.
If you prefer to work on a large screen, the Dell UltraSharp 43 is your best option. This truly big-screen display measures 43 inches, offering plenty of real estate for detailed videos, photos, and documents. And with the Display Manager feature, you can configure the screen tiles windows and applications for efficient multitasking. The Dell UltraSharp 43 remembers where you left off in programs, automatically restoring your sessions even after you’ve turned off the display. With USB-C ports directly on the monitor, you get more ways to connect peripherals and storage devices. You can also use these inputs to charge mobile devices and even daisy-chain secondary displays if (somehow) you need even more display space to work.
The ASUS ProArt is the ultimate display for creative professionals. The 27-inch screen can produce up to 100% of sRGB and DCI-P3 color gamuts for richer, more lifelike images. Each monitor is Calman verified for Delta E<2 color accuracy, so you can confidently expect your on-screen work to look just as awesome in real life. Support for HDR10 ensures excellent detailing, which is essential for digital painting and photo editing. Display presets and 6-axis color adjustments also let you customize your palette for a signature look. Other features include picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture modes for easier referencing and multitasking, on-screen alignment grids and rulers for scale accuracy, an ergonomic stand, and a blue light filter. Along with HDMI and DisplayPort connectivity, you can use the USB-C port to quickly transfer files, charge devices, and daisy-chain displays for even more room to work.
If you’re a creative professional who works with audio or video, an ultra-wide screen is best suited for your needs. Super wide displays allow you to see more of your editing timeline to reduce frustration and better envision how cuts and transitions fit into your project. Digital artists and 3D modelers may want to opt for a big screen, like a 32-inch option, for more room to work.
If you want to know if the monitor you’re currently using is 4K, there’s a way to check. For Windows users, click the search bar and type in “display settings,” then click “additional display settings” in the side bar. Under the “scale and layout” section, you’ll see a drop-down menu of your display resolution which is defaulted to your monitor’s native resolution. For Mac users, open System Preferences and click on Display; the defaulted selection is your screen’s native resolution.
